Gov. Eric Greitens has signed a bill giving Kansas City and Independence a new tool to find property owners who have vacant or substandard homes. It’s a good decision, one that will make Kansas City a better, safer place to live. File photo

Gov. Eric Greitens has signed a bill giving Kansas City and Independence a new tool to find property owners who have vacant or substandard homes. It’s a good decision, one that will make Kansas City a better, safer place to live. File photo

Under the new law, limited liability corporations that own property must provide a street address and the name of a “natural person” with management control and responsibility for the rental or unoccupied property.

If that person changes, the LLC has 30 days to update the filing. If the owner fails to file the proper paperwork, the tenant — or the city — can take the company to circuit court.

The new law, the city says, will allow state court jurisdiction to help address the the problem.

The law applies just in Kansas City and Independence, Mo., where absentee ownership is also a challenge.

As The Star reported this week, nearly half of Kansas City’s housing stock consists of rental properties. Roughly three out of every five African-American households are rental homes.

Leasing a home or apartment is an important option for many residents. Home ownership doesn’t cure every problem or guarantee stable neighborhoods.

But landlords who ignore property issues, or neglect required maintenance, or fail to respond to tenant requests can contribute to problem neighborhoods. Any tool that holds them to account is welcome.

Interestingly, Greitens on Wednesday announced a new website where governments and citizens can register complaints about allegedly unneeded regulations. “Government red tape is out of control,” he said.

Some landlords will undoubtedly claim the new law is exactly the kind of “red tape” Greitens is worried about. He properly ignored that potential criticism and signed the bill.

Greitens provided our city with a much-needed tool that could help make this area safer. Kansas Citians should applaud his decision.